forum “And if I don't want to return?”

Started January 03, 2023 by @FanfictionFanatic-The-Elder group

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(Yep! I’m going to make a third character page for Farah (RIP meeeee) for her non-magical, soldier self. Or I might just make a new character. I should probably do that I instead, but here she issssss!!!)

Name: Farah Dowling
Age: 24
Gender: Female (she/her)
Sexuality: Bisexual
Appearance: Farah is an attractive woman with dark brown eyes and ash blonde hair. She has a soft but defined jawline, and her figure is lean and curvy, even with the muscles she's developed from years of training and battles. Farah is tall for a woman – 5'10" – and has long legs. She has a tattoo on her index finger of a line circling above her knuckle and three dots closer to her fingertips, and she speaks with a British accent.
Clothing Style: She typically wears fine clothes, made of silk or leather, in the colors of the royals (going to go out on a limb and say green, white, and gold, if that's cool). When she appears in public with her family, she wears an emerald green dress (floor length, cowl neckline, poet sleeves) with white and gold filigree, sharp white heels, and her hair in a beautifully chaotic, somehow braided updo. In the comfort of her home, she wears button-up blouses (in lots of colors, but mainly white, pink, and navy blue), black "dress pant" like pants, black flats, and her hair in a loose low bun at the nape of her neck. In battle, she dons the royal colors with a green tunic with white accents and gold armor that is specific to her measurements and designed to be both light and durable. In battle, she wears her hair in a high ponytail with a few wispy pieces framing the sides of her face.
Personality: Farah is typically a very closed-off and hardened woman, coming off as tough or having a hard outer shell. She has what could be defined as trust issues, but when someone can get past her stoic exterior, she's a total softie –kind, caring… motherly, almost. Even though she has trust issues, if someone earns her trust, she is loyal to a fault. She also can be reckless and headstrong in situations where she needs to be patient, however, she also tends to overanalyze at times as well. The overanalyzing happens when she is plotting out battle strategies with her fellow soldiers, but in the heat of the moment, she is known for her "thoughtlessly calculated" tactics. Her presence takes up an entire space from the moment she enters, which can cause her to initially come off as more intimidating than she actually can be.
Likes: Training, thunderstorms, lilies, books, cats, her clothes
Dislikes: Her parents, the princess (solely because she ran away), her trainers
Backstory: Farah is a soldier in the King’s army. She's been training since her teenage years to be one of the most elite trackers in the royal military. She is the daughter and only child of a high-ranking noble family who were determined to make her succeed, whatever the cost. So Farah spent hours upon hours in training sessions, working herself continuously to hone her techniques in both hand-to-hand combat and with various assortments of weaponry. Some sessions were better than others, but oftentimes, her trainers worked with Farah until the young girl passed out completely. Farah used to have bruises down her arms and back from falling since no one ever attempted to catch her. The sessions still haunt her. All Farah had wanted to do as a girl was impress her parents and the royal family, who she was taught to respect, serve, and above all, fear. While her family and trainers had given her guidance, it wasn't the guidance Farah really needed. Her parents, specifically her father, made it abundantly clear that Farah’s natural fighting abilities were the only reason she was valued. Now, Farah has officially become a member of the royal military and the most accomplished tracker, agent, and fighter.

(Wow! That's just beautiful. Good luck with your new page, whichever way you decide to go. And the royal colors you picked are fine!)

Full Name: Princess Gwendolyn Botaneiates
Nicknames(if applicable): Gwen
Age: 18
Gender: female
Sexuality: straight
Appearance (feel free to post a link): When the Princess was last seen in her kingdom, she had long dark brown hair and hazel green eyes. Her skin was fair in color and unblemished, though she did have a smattering of freckles across her face.
Height: 5’8”
Identifying marks:… Actually, I can't think of any for her.
Usual outfit: typically long, elegant dresses, even her more simple ones are finer than most. Though when she's found, she will be wearing a wolf fur cloak, a plain-woven shirt, a skirt that ends just above her knees, and sturdy moccasin style boots.
Personality: Most of her life she has been quiet and polite, though not many people really know much about her. She does enjoy the simple things when she has the chance to, which honestly isn't as often as she would like.
Skills: singing, eventually hunting and archery,
Hobbies: reading, gardening,
Strengths: she's a good strategist though she's still learning, can be very straightforward when she needs to but is pretty understanding.
Weakness:… I just remembered I’m terrible at this part 😅 but maybe still working on actually being confident enough to speak up more often and a bit stubborn at times.
Fears: being a figurehead Queen and not being strong enough to help her people.
Background (can be revealed in rp if you want): Firstborn daughter of King Aldric and the late Queen Margaret-Catherine. Spent most of her life pretty sheltered and learning how to be a princess and eventual queen.
Other: that’s all the important information I can think of at the moment.

Farah crept through the woods, tired and exhausted. Sure, she had been through much worse during her training days at the palace, but still. It had been several days since she’d left home on the mission assigned to her from the king and queen themselves. Each time she remembered that fact, her heart began to race even more.

Quickly, she pushed the thought from her mind as something rustled in the underbrush to her right. She whirled toward the sound with practiced ease and drew her short sword to engage should the sound have originated from something harmful.

However, it was nothing but a gray squirrel skittering across dead leaves. With a shake of her head, Farah sheathed her blade and kept walking. She was much jumpier than when she’d first set out, though she wasn’t sure if it was because of hunger or fatigue.

This damn Princess better be grateful, Farah couldn’t help but think as she brushed aside a low-hanging tree branch and continued on through the woods. This hell I’m going through is for her.

The area was fairly peaceful and very much unlike the bustling crowded streets of Olarien. The paint covered face smiled a little at the difference before the two warriors walked out together for a brief hunt. It was more a rite of passage for the younger one while the mentor only supervised. A lot of training had gone into this moment and the excitement was palatable.

After traveling together for a while, the mentor fell behind to give his student control of the situation.

The younger of the two was immediately aware of when the teacher became an observer and became fully alert. Listening carefully to every sound and scanning the terrain for any tracks or signs of a good hunt before heading off, quietly as possible, just outside the camp’s borders. Though they were staying in the tribes own hunting territory for the younger’s safety.

Corvin had grown fond of his charge despite already having a child… who was too young to start training. Honestly, he considered this to be as much of a test for him as it was for his student.

Farah continued on through the unknown woods. She had no idea where she was going, so as a precaution, she removed her bow from its current location over her shoulder and drew an arrow from the quiver across her back. She notched the arrow and drew the weapon back slightly. All she would need to do now in an instance of danger would be to bring it up, draw it the rest of the way while aiming, and fire.

Her eyes were narrowed, and her steps were quiet and sure as she made her way along the barely distinguishable path. This is ridiculous, she thought, alert with every step. Honestly, she's probably dead by now.

It took a while before they finally came upon the deer they were stalking, a lone buck, fortunately. Neither of them wanted to find a young fawn or a doe for the hunt. A buck, with antlers that size, would be perfect to bring back. Corvin stood several feet away as his student got within a closer range.

She stayed upwind just as she had been taught and silently notched her bow. Taking a slow deep breath to steady her shot, and pounding heart, she pulled the drawstring taunt and took careful aim.

The sudden silent whistle of the arrow cutting through the air only lasted a brief few seconds before the deer dropped with the projectile sticking out of its side. The young woman raced over to the animal and grabbed one of its antlers to keep it still for this part. Even though the arrow had struck the heart, it was still too slow. Taking a much more shaky breath, the girl held out a sharp knife. She was a little more nervous about this part. ”I’m sorry.” she whispered, before bringing the dagger quickly down.

Farah whirled her head around. She’d heard that — the sound of something off beside her crashing to the ground. Her eyes narrowed, and she moved quickly to find where the sound had originated from.

All too soon, she could smell the faint scent of blood in the air. Something was dead. More specifically, it had been killed.

The soldier was aware of every weapon on her person as she kept going, her arrow ready should she need it.

She noticed motion off to the side and approached it. There was a person, a woman, but Farah could distinguish the face. Maybe she could help Farah find the princess. But if she proved to be hostile, there were ways of dealing with that too. With swift steps, she proceeded closer to the woman.

The young woman smiled as she looked back at her mentor, who nodded with a smile of his own.

”You did well.” Corvin said proudly at the newly deemed huntress as he walked towards her. “Clean your blade and we'll take your first hunt back to the tribe.” he reminded, ruffling her dark brown hair.

“Alright.” the girl laughed softly and pushed his hand away.

Corvin chuckled and looked around patiently before catching sight of the approaching stranger. “Hello there.” he greeted as he took a step to meet her.

Farah straightened as she was spotted by another hunter, this one male. The way he was standing blocked her view of the huntress who was with him. The one who had slain the deer at their feet.

Hoping to have a peaceful conversation before having to resort to her weapons, Farah lowered her notched bow and arrow to show she meant no harm if they could talk it out. She nodded her head as a greeting and spoke with as much confidence as she could. "Hello. I've come seeking Her Highness Gwendolyn Botaneiates, firstborn daughter of King Aldric and heir to his throne. Do you know of her or her whereabouts?"

Corvin raised a brow at the formal way the woman spoke and cleared his throat slightly. “You must be a long way from home. Out here, our tribe does not recognize titles such as Kings or Queens.” he explained, not answering the actual question.

The young woman beside him had tensed up at the knight’s words as she held her knife in a white-knuckled grip, hoping Corivn could talk her into leaving.

Farah nodded slightly in acknowledgment. “Yes. My apologies. I’m not very familiar with your cultures. I’m simply seeking Her Highness. Disclose any information you have on her whereabouts, and I shall be on my way.”

“That is understandable. Very few outsiders make an effort to know our ways.” Corvin acknowledged.

“What if she didn't want to be found?” the woman growled just loud enough to be heard, her painted face furrowed.

Though Farah was about to respond to the man's statement, it was the woman's growl that caught her attention. "Excuse me?" she asked, her expression narrowing with confusion.

Corvin glanced at his charge, a worried expression on his face as she answered.

“What if your princess does not want to be found?” she repeated a little clearer, but no less angry. “What would you do then?”

Farah frowned slightly. "I-I'm not sure…" she answered honestly, running her fingers over the wood of her bow and the familiar carving. "Why do you ask?"

“Because I need to know.” she answered, unsure if the knight’s response was actually comforting. “Would you force your princess to return if she didn't want to?”

"First I would want to know why she wouldn't want to return," Farah countered the words smoothly. "Then…" she trailed off. In all her searching, this thought had never occurred to her. The princess not wanting to return? But she was kidnapped. Why would she rather stay with her kidnappers than return to the kingdom and the luxury of palace life? Though it was anything but a luxury for Farah.

“Then… what?” she pressed, determined not to back down.

“That's enough, cub.” Corvin interrupted before the conversation could escalate. “You’ve made your point.” he said before turning back to the other.

Farah narrowed her eyes a bit. "What point is that, exactly?" she inquired, keeping her gaze steady on both the man and woman before here. "And I must ask, why are you so concerned with my endeavors to find the princess?"